She got Shinde to bar gods’ names, wants others to follow

After requesting the Maharashtra government to ban use of gods’ names on bars and permit rooms, which Sushilkumar Shinde heeded, she wa...

After requesting the Maharashtra government to ban use of gods’ names on bars and permit rooms, which Sushilkumar Shinde heeded, she wants to see other states follow suit. The woman in question is none other than Minister of State for Home Kripa Shankar’s wife Malti Devi, a staunch believer and a philanthropist.

Seeing the state government’s response, Malti Devi has gone ahead and written to Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee and all the Chief Ministers. Though the letter was written last fortnight, no response has yet been received from anyone.

Malti Devi says she is hopeful of a positive response from the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre and all the BJP-ruled states rather than the Congress governments.

Story continues below this ad

Talking to The Indian Express, Malti Devi said she has been observing for sometime that a number of commercial establishments bear gods’ names. ‘‘To that extent, I can understand their feelings,’’ she remarked but to name beer bars and permit rooms after gods, she feels, is atrocious.

According to her, names of gods of any religion should be taken with a lot of respect and honour, particularly in a country like India where the Constitution itself speaks about the respect for all caste, creed and religion. ‘‘It is the duty of all Indians and different institutions under the Constitution to respect all the religions,’’ she remarked.

‘‘If they cannot enforce it during the election time due to the model code of conduct, they can at least respond to my letter and give me the assurance to do the needful after the election process is over,’’ stated Malti Devi.

When books can be banned, why cannot a law be enforced to ban naming of beer bars and permit rooms after gods and goddesses. Malti Devi hopes at least Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharati and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa will respond positively to her request.

Gaza-bound Flotilla says it was struck by drone in Tunisian waters; authorities deny claim

World23 min ago

The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) for Gaza said early Tuesday that one of its main boats was struck by a drone off the Tunisian waters, but all the six passengers and crew are reportedly safe, Reuters reported. However, Tunisia's National Guard spokesman told Mosaique FM radio that reports of a drone attack on the flotilla "have no basis in truth".

View all shorts

Live Blog